OVER the weekend, I represented the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) to launch a crime prevention campaign involving Yeo Hiap Seng (M) Berhad, which has volunteered to help fight crime as its corporate social responsibility.

Under the tagline “Stay Safe with Yeo’s”, the company which produces a wide range of Asian drink beverages joined the fight against crime by encouraging members of the public to join Rakan Cop by printing on the packaging Rakan Cop’s designated 13 hotline members throughout the country.

It marks a very positive contribution by a company producing consumer products to come forward in a very meaningful endeavour.

At a time when the entire nation is concerned about crime, any effort by anyone to help create greater crime prevention awareness will be most meaningful.

It is hoped that Yeo’s effort will be emulated by other organisations.

We need greater participation by all levels of our community to develop an anti-crime culture and make safety a way of life.

Unless one is determined to have an anti-crime culture and make safety a way of life, the fight against crime will not be effective and enduring.

As crimes continue to occur, more so in view of the economic downtown and given the fact that law enforcement alone is inadequate to tackle crime, governments everywhere will have to promulgate effective social policies and programmes to prevent and control criminal activities.

However, governments also need other stakeholders such as the traders, residents, professionals and the public to assist them to combat crime.

Hence, policy makers, academicians and people from the various strata of society need to stand up to this challenge and make their cities, towns and villages safe and liveable for everyone.

In this context, continuous efforts must be made to reduce crime, lessen the fear of crime and create safer cities and towns where economic enterprises and community alike can flourish.

The agenda to control and prevent crime demands concerted and tireless endeavour from everyone and the public must be made aware of the fact that crime prevention is a collective responsibility.

Since its inception, the MCPF has been actively involved in awareness campaigns with various community-based organisations to help create greater awareness about the need not to take safety for granted but to participate actively in crime prevention.

Through our safe city initiative projects, the MCPF hopes to enlist the participation of all levels of our community in educating the public about what they should do in crime prevention.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,

Vice-Chairman, MCPF.